Oxford Township officials Jan. 28 voted 4-0 to continue participating in the North Oakland Household Hazardous Waste Consortium (NO HAZ) this year and to designate Trustee Shirley Clancy as the township’s appointed representative to the consortium board.
Under the leadership of Oakland County government, NO HAZ provides safe, reliable, environmentally responsible collection of household hazardous waste by partnering with participating local governments, who contribute funds and collection sites.
Clancy reported 34 township residents participated in NO HAZ last year and said she’s hopeful that number will increase this year. She noted the feedback from the participating public was “favorable.”
If all 15 municipalities participate in NO HAZ this year, the total cost to Oxford Township will be $7,699. That’s based on a fixed administration fee of $4,748 and a variable cost of $2,951 based on a projected 98-to-99 vehicle loads from the township participating.
Clancy said the “key issue” is whether or not the administrative fee will increase, which could happen if not all the municipalities agree to participate again.
So far ten communities, including Oxford Township, have agreed to participate in NO HAZ in 2004, however, they do have until Feb. 22 to opt out and not be required to pay any fees. The agreement is under review in the remaining communities.
If more communities join than participated in 2003, which Clancy said is a “remote possibility,” the administrative cost would decrease.
As for the variable cost, for each vehicle load less than the projected 98-to-99 for this year, the township will receive a $30 reduction, the trustee said. But if the number of vehicles goes above the projection, the township will pay an additional $30 per vehicle.
Clancy noted the appointment system, in which people wishing to dump items at the collection site schedule to do so in advance, worked “very, very well” and was “very, very efficient.” She said the appointment system resulted in no delays at the dump sites.
The appointment system also allows participants to learn in advance what type of materials can and cannot be dumped at the collection site, thereby avoiding any “frustration” or “headaches” on the day of the event, Clancy said.
The tenative 2004 NO HAZ collection sites and dates are as follows: Waterford April 24; White Lake May 8; Rochester May 22; Pontiac June 12; Commerce Township Sept. 25; and Pontiac Oct. 23.
Appointments can be made on the NO HAZ website www.nohaz.com or by calling (248) 858-5656.